Columnist Ljiljana Smajlovic tells RTS that as a citizen of Serbia, she cannot help but wonder what the US is looking for in return if they support the abolition of tariffs.
Smajlovic says she is surprised by President Vucic’s meeting with Mike Pompeo because it is rare that Serbian presidents or ministers have a meeting with such high-ranking US officials.
The meeting planned this way, she states, shows the intention of Pompeo to say – “here, I have good relations with the Serbian president, we care about this process.”
“It’s a rarity for us. It’s nothing new for Pristina. Thaci met with Pompeo twice in the last few months. In relation to Serbia, this is news. Something has changed there, we know for sure that the first time the administration asked Pristina “what are you ready for, what will you give to the Serbs,” Smajlovic points out.
According to her, the meeting also demonstrates the administration’s intention to make a point for themselves from the Kosovo problem until next year’s presidential election.
Smajlovic points to an “interesting moment”, namely a statement by Quinta urging Pristina to abolish fees and Belgrade to cease activities to withdraw Kosovo’s independence.
“The Quint announced after a long time, which is what Americans do when they want to say – ‘We don’t do this ourselves’. We don’t know if it was discussed, whether it was explicitly said to Vucic, but it bothers me. It is not in the same rank; we did not commit ourselves that we will not be doing it. I don’t think that these things (fees and withdrawal of recognition) could be linked that way. They wanted to say that they do not humiliate their pet in the region, Pristina,” Smajlovic explains.
She says she is also one of the citizens of Serbia who is anxious about US support for Serbia.
“This intonation is different now. If you live in Serbia, you must wonder what they expect in return if we get the support,” Smajlovic points out.
